Folding pallet



T. J. DESBOIS FOLDING PALLET sept. 13, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

Filed April 5, 195'? T. J. DESBOIS FOLDING PALLET Sept. 13, 1960 Filed April 5, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent FOLDING PALLET Theodore Joseph Desbois, 423 Hyde Park Blvd., Niagara Falls, NX.

Filed Apr. 5, 1957, Ser. No. 651,020 6 Claims. (Cl. 24S- 120) l`his invention relates to pallets of the type used with forklift trucks and is particularly concerned with folding, light weight, reuseable pallets.

Much handling of materials today is carried on with the aid or use of pallets. These are employed as platforms on which packaged material is stacked to a convenient height. The loaded pallets may then be treated as a unit for loading into railroad cars, trucks or for storage. It has become common to use pallets which are so constructed that they may be picked up by a fork-lift truck and transported to the desired location. The truck may place loaded pallets either on the oor or ground or stack them on top of other loaded pallets. lt is possible under some conditions to stack loaded pallets one on another to considerable heights, thus conserving Hoor space.

Up to the present time, pallets have generally been constructed of wood. As usually made, Wooden pallets have the disadvantage that adequate strength and rigidity are obtained only if they are very heavy and bulky and consequently expensive. In addition, wooden pallets after some use tend to splinter and the nails used in constructing them protrude. These conditions result in the tearing of bags of material with which the pallets come in Contact and, eventually, in failure of the pallets. Furthermore, the bulk and excessive weight of wooden pallets make it expensive to use them in shipping, particularly where the pallets must be returned to the shipper. Some attempts have been made to provide disposable pallets. These attempts, however, have not been conspicuous by their success since, in order for a pallet to be suiiciently inexpensive to justify discarding it after a single use it must be rather insubstantial and consequently not strong enough for heavy use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a strong and durable but light-weight pallet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pallet of the character described which may be folded into a relatively small space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pallet of the character described which will not damage bags of material on which it is placed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pallet of the character described so constructed that Worn or damaged elements thereof may be readily replaced.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pallet of the character described which is inexpensive to manufacture and which may be constructed of various materials most appropriate for the intended use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is a front elevation view of a pallet constructed in accordance with the present invention showing the manner in which bags of material may be stacked thereon;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the pallet illustrated in .Figure 1;

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Figure 3 -is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the pallet illustrated in Figures l and 2, illustrating certain details of construction;

Figure 4 is a front view of a pallet, such as is illustrated in Figures 1-3, folded for storage or transportation;

Figure 5 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view of one of the elongated lifting tubes showing one method of constructing the same;

Figure 6 is a sectional view similar to` Figure 5 illustrating another type of construction for a lifting tube; and

Figure 7 is a transverse, sectional view of a modified form of pallet especially adapted for carrying boxes or barrels.

Referring to Figures l5, inclusive, it will be seen that a pallet constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a pair of parallel, elongated, rigid lifting tubes designated generally by the numeral 11 and a substantially rectangular, exible platform 12 between and detachably joined to the tubes 11 by a plurality of pivotal connections. Each of the lifting tubes 11 comprises a top 13, a bottom 14 and sides '16 and .17. Preferably the top 13 and bottom 14 extend for the full Width of the tube and the sides 16 and 17 are held in place between the top and bottom by a series of vertical rivets: 19 along the edges of the tubes. Reinforcement of the tubes 11 is provided by a plurality of metal bands 21 which encircle the tubes at longitudinally spaced intervals.

Although the lifting tubes 111 may be formed of any suitable light Weight material, for ordinary use they are preferably formed of high quality, strong liber board. When so formed the construction illustrated in Figure 5 is preferred. As there shown, the top and bottom 13 `and 14, respectively, of the tube 11 are formed of single sheets of board while the sides `16 and 17 are built up of laminations 23 of fiber board. Preferably the laminations are bonded together by suitable adhesive and pressure and the top 13 and bottom 14 are also secured to the sides with adhesive. To protect the ends of the members 13 and 14 from deformation and Wear by contact with the forks of fork-lift trucks these ends are covered by thin metal channel members 26 secured thereon by rivets 19.

The platform 12 is also preferably formed of strong, tough, but somewhat flexible liber board and is transversely reinforced at spaced intervals by metal straps 29 which are secured thereto by rivets 31. The ends of the straps 2.9 project beyond the edges of the platform 12 and are there formed into loops 32. The platform is exibly supported between the lifting tubes 11 by means of a plurality of metal links 33 each of which engages one of the loops 32 and also engages in the hole provided in the outer end of one of the tongues 34 that are secured at proper intervals to the lifting tubes 11. As best seen in Figure 5, the tongues 34 are preferably formed of metal and are received in slots in the sides 17 of the tubes. Each tongue is held in place by one of the rivets 19 which passes through a hole in the inner end thereof. It will be apparent that the platform 12 is thus securely carried by the lifting tubes 11 but is pivotally movable with respect to the tubes so that it may adjust itself to irregular surfaces on which it is placed and may 'be folded.

In Figure l a pallet in accordance with the present invention is shown loaded With bags 42 of material. It will be seen that the bags may be stacked on the pallet in such manner as to interlock them and increase the stability of the stack. It will also be seen that the lower course of bags rests in part on the lifting tubes 11 and the Weight of the stack is carried mainly thereby. Obviously the useful size of pallets according to the present invention is restricted by the limitations of the available fork-lift trucks. Thus the spacing between lifting tubes is `determined by the spacing between the forks of the truck and the length of the pallet is determined by the length of the forks, it being desirable to have the forks extend at least approximately two-thirds of the length of the pallet. Within such limitations however the size of pallets may vary as desired. When not in use the pal- `lets may be folded for storage or for transportation. Figure 4 illustrates the manner in which a pallet may be folded. It will be observed that when folded the pallet is very compact and may be readily stacked or piled without waste of space.

Figure 6 illustrates another type of construction for lifting tubes suitable for use in carrying out the present invention. In this modification the elongated tube 37 is unitary and may be cast or molded of any suitable material such as metal, hard rubber, or other relatively rigid plastic. Extending from the inner side of the tube 37 at spaced intervals are apertured lugs 38 to which links like the links 33 may be attached for pivotally supporting a sling.

In Figure 7 there is shown a modified form of pallet -intended for use with boxes, barrels and other packages which require a relatively fiat lifting surface. This modied form of pallet provides substantially the same advantages as the pallet illustrated in Figures 1-5, being light in weight, foldable and easily handled. The construction of the lifting tubes 44 of the modified type of pallet may be substantially identical with that of the tubes 11. The platform 46 may also be constructed substantially the same as the platform 12. However, a center rest is provided for the platform 46. This comprises a runner or strip 47 extending longitudinally of the platform 46 and secured to the lower face thereof by a plurality of rivets 48. The tubes 44 are pivotally connected to the platform 46 by a plurality of longitudinally spaced hinges. One leaf 52 of each hinge is secured to one of the tubes 44 by rivets (not shown). The other leaves 53 of the hinges are bent and secured at their outer ends by rivets 48 to reinforcing straps 54 of the platform 46. Thus, as shown by the broken lines in Figure 7, when the pallet is not in use the tubes 44 may be folded inwardly on the hinges so as to occupy only a relatively small space.

Pallets of the type herein disclosed are, as seen, of simple construction. Nevertheless, such pallets are strong land very durable. Moreover, they are light in weight, thus reducing floor load and shipping expense and also making them easier to handle manually. Also, because of the flexible construction thereof resulting from the pivotal connections between the elements they may be stacked on irregular surfaces and may be easily folded for storage or transportation. In the event that one or more of the elements of a pallet constructed in accordance with the present invention is damaged, this portion or element may be replaced easily and quickly by removing the links 33 and substituting a new element.

The fiber board used forming pallets according to the present invention may be of `any of the commercially available types which has adequate strength and durability. It may be further strengthened and rendered resistant to wear and deterioration by impregnating it either before or after assembly with suitable indurating agents such as liquid plastic materials and the like. Such limpregnation, if used, is preferably carried out after forming the several parts or elements.

It will be understood that various changes and modifieations may be made in the constructions illustrated and described above without departing from the invention. Thus, for example, the platform 12 or 46 may be constructed of metal sheet or, where circumstances permit, may be formed of canvas or other suitable, preferably flexible material which may be impregnated with rubber or suitable plastic material in liquid form or solution. Likewise the lifting tubes 1l or 44 may be constructed of any other suitable material such, for example, as formed sheet metal, a reinforced plastic material, or in some cases, wood.

Obviously, also the several parts may take shapes different from those illustrated. For example, lifting tubes such as those illustrated in Figure 7, instead of being molded or cast, may be extruded from metal, for example aluminum, or suitable plastic materials. In such case the lugs 38 may conveniently be replaced by a continuous longitudinal rib in which holes may be formed for connection of a platform 12 or 46. Likewise the channel members 26 may be, if desired, joined in a single channeled member which will slide over the end of a lifting tube and may be secured thereon by any suitable means.

It is therefore intended that the present invention should not be limited to the precise constructions illustrated and described, but should rather be construed as broadly as permitted by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A pallet of the character described which comprises a rectangular platform formed of sheet material, a pair of separate, elongated, rigid lifting tubes therefor substantially parallel to and outwardly spaced from the sides of said platform, and a plurality of pivotally movable links joining said platform and each of said lifting tubes, said links being secured at spaced intervals along the lengths of said tubes substantially above the lower edges thereof, each of said lifting tubes being longitudinally continuous, resting directly on a supporting surface, and being of substantial width whereby to receive the fork of a fork lift truck and to form a substantial part of the loading surface of said pallet, and said lifting tubes being maintained in spaced, substantial parallelism when not loaded, whereby to receive the fork of a fork lift truck, solely by said platform and said links, said pallet being transversely foldable without removal or disconnection of parts.

2. A pallet as set forth in claim l in which said platform is flexible.

3. A pallet as set forth lin claim 2 in which said iiexible platform is formed of a sheet of liber board.

4. A pallet as set forth in claim 2 in which said flexible platform is provided with transverse reinforcing means at spaced intervals longitudinally thereof.

5. A pallet as set forth in claim l in which said supporting tubes are substantially rectangular in cross section and are formed of laminations.

6. A pallet as set forth in claim l in which a supporting strip is centrally secured to the bottom of said platform and extends longitudinally thereof.

References Cited in the ijle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,281,385 Johnson Oct. l5, 1918 1,921,228 Hetherington Aug. 8, 1933 2,116,331 Tripp May 3, 1938 2,118,780 Robinson May 24, 1938 2,506,346 Crawford May 2, 1950 2,698,696 Strong Jan. 4, 1955 

